Dani Alves is officially the first signing of coach Xavi Hernandez at FC Barcelona. The veteran Brazilian left-back has returned to the Spanish side on a free transfer.
Recall that Dani Alves played for FC Barcelona between 2008 and 2016 after playing for Sevilla for 6 years.
The €32.5 million that FC Barcelona paid to Sevilla for the services of Alves in 2008 made the Brazilian defender the third-most-expensive defender of all time.
In his first season at FC Barcelona, Alves helped Barcelona to win treble, in the following season, he helped Barcelona to win Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Afterward, Dani Alves helped the Spanish side to win two Supercopa de España, five La Liga titles, and two UEFA Champions League titles.
After a successful spell at FC Barcelona, the Brazilian football icon went on to join Juventus, Paris Saint Germain, and then São Paulo.
Though he started well at São Paulo, things went sour between him and the Brazilian club in September 2021 because the Brazilian club failed to meet up with their financial obligations. Hence, he terminated his stay at the club.
After spending almost two months without a club, FC Barcelona brought him back to the Spanish side on a free transfer to reunite with his former teammate, Xavi, who is now the coach of the club.
Alves and Xavi played together between 2008 and 2015 before Xavi left Alves at the club in 2015 to join Al Sadd where he played until 2019 before he switched to being a coach.
Though Alves is now 38-year-old, his return to FC Barcelona where he won 23 major titles is seen as a fair addition to Xavi’s squad that is filled with youngsters.
Even though Alves’ deal with Barcelona is sealed, he is only allowed to train with the squad for now. He will be permitted to start playing football matches with FC Barcelona from January 2022. His stay at the club as a player will end at the end of this season.
Together again pic.twitter.com/hFIT0jduNB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 13, 2021
A statement from the Spanish club read: “FC Barcelona and Dani Alves have reached an agreement in principle for the player to join the football first team for the remainder of the current season.
“The Brazilian will be joining training from next week but will not be able to play until January.
“The club will announce the full details at his official presentation as a new FC Barcelona player.”
Dani Alves is the most decorated player in the world in terms of the number of trophies he has won with clubs and country. His trophies haul has hit a record 43 titles.
He won his last major title with the Brazil Olympic team earlier in the year. Even though he was the oldest player in Brazil’s squad during the tournament, he was fit and good enough to play 480 minutes of football.
After an Olympic Gold-winning performance, Brazil’s coach Andre Jardine said: “He [Alves] is in impressive physical shape. The maturity he has speaks for itself. He is very experienced and is very clear on every decision he makes. He is an example to all Brazilian footballers.”
WINNER pic.twitter.com/gN3BUqRSAo
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 12, 2021
Here is the trophy cabinet Dani Alves
6 La Liga Santander
5 Copa del Rey
5 Supercopa de Espana
4 European Supercup
3 Champions League
2 Europa League
3 Club World Cup
1 Serie A
1 Coppa Italia
2 Ligue 1
1 Coupe de France
1 Trophee des Champions
1 Coupe de la Ligue
1 Paulista Championship
1 Copa do Nordeste
2 Copa America
2 Confederations Cups
1 Olympic Gold Medal
